Kaia Archer is a 200-Hour Registered International Yoga teacher. In 2013, she officially started her journey into the wellness world by becoming a Zumba instructor. After teaching more than 30 classes a week, ranging in ages from children to older adults, with no adequate stretching, her body became tighter over time which led her straight into the arms of Yoga. As a self-taught yogi (no consistent classes prior to Yoga Teacher Training) , Kaia strives to make sure that she teaches students all of the alignment tips and tricks she’s learned along the way so everyone has the most accessible opportunity to heal themselves.

What do I do best?

I am best at connecting with people. I used to be a bit shy as a child but have always loved meeting and getting to know new people. Communication and interpersonal skills are very important to me and are the basis of most of my studies as a yoga teacher right now. Person to person interaction is a very important part of every persons life here on Earth and as another human being, I love that I can be the one to hold space and bring people together through Yoga and movement. The goal of Yoga is self-realization and one of the easiest ways to become more self aware and conscious of you is through seeing all parts of you in others. What do I do best? I look at others and greet them how I greet myself, with love.

What makes me the best version of myself?

Staying open to all of the amazing blessing life has to offer has made me the best version of myself. Sometimes as people we can be really hard on ourselves (I know I am still at times) but being patient with myself in all situations is what keeps me going and has made me stronger as a person.

What are my aspirations?

My aspirations are to travel more, see more and experience all that this life has to offer. My ideal personal and business goal would be to have my permanent residence on an island somewhere but travel to teach retreats and classes around the world frequently. I am also currently engaged and really looking forward to getting married.

My Biggest Success?

My biggest success by far was traveling across the world to Bali. I live in New York City and that was quite the journey. I had 2-3 days of traveling just to get to that side of the world. I stopped in London, Germany, Singapore and finally Indonesia. It was my first solo trip and even though things didn’t work out how I expected them too, it was such a beautiful experience. I was blessed, I am blessed. The island of Bali is filled with some of the most kind and gentle souls. It was an experience that touched my heart in more ways than one and I cannot wait until I have the opportunity to go back.

My Most Challenging Moment?

A difficult decision that I believe had a meaningful impact on my life was getting a bacterial infection in Bali and simultaneously also not being able to complete the first teacher training that I worked so hard to save for. It was hard. I was thousands of miles away from my friends and family and felt so alone. I didn’t know anyone prior to the training so I stayed by myself in a villa outside of the main town. Getting that ill was so hard because I was by myself. I did make one lifelong friend and she is who nursed me back to health. I didn’t exaggerate the kindness of these people. Her name was Dede and she was the sister of the man who owned the villa I stayed at. She traveled with me almost everyday on the motorbike to make sure I was okay. She took me to the hospital when I fell ill with that virus and after finding out that I was not going to be allowed to complete the training, she picked me up from my room, pulled me out of my depression and took me all over Bali. She made sure that I still enjoyed myself. She restored my faith and my heart. Bali taught me real love. It exists.

My Motto?

My motto is “LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU" which is Sanskrit for "May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” This is the closing mantra for me and many great Dharma Yoga teachers I have had. It’s how I live my life.

My Favorite People/Role Models?

My favorite person is my fiancé. Everyday, he allows me to uncover something about myself that I wasn’t consciously aware of before. He helped me become a better person by simply being my other half. My role models are my teachers Rose Erin Vaughan and Yoshio Hama along with their teacher, Sri Dharma Mittra. They have played a major role in my growth. I was a graduate of the first ever Science of Self yoga teacher training with Rose Erin and Yoshio. One of my favorite people is also another guru I haven’t and will never meet by the name of Swami Satchidinanda. He passed away in 2002 but as the teachings live on so does he. His teachings have greatly enhanced my character and have aided me in figuring out the real importance of life.

My Favorite Places/Destinations?

My favorite travel destinations are Bali, Barbados and Mexico. I also really love to go to towns in Upstate New York to find a little more stillness and still be not too far from home.

My current passions are traveling around the world with my fiancé and teaching movement based classes. One of my favorite things to do is to be upside down. Everyone should be able to experience the world from a flipped perspective.Photo Credit: 1st, 3rd and last photo by David Tufino